Apparel clasp



Sept. 22, 1936. w. J. BISSELL' APPAREL CLASP Filed May "1'7, 1955 INVENTOR. W J B ASSEL L Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNl-TED STATES PATENT OFFIE APPAREL oLAsP William J. Bissell, Pasadena, Calif. Application May 17, 1935, Serial No. 21,970

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a garment clasp. v y

The general object of this invention is to provide an improved garment clasp which securely grips portions of a garment without tearing or marring them.

A further object of my invention is to provide a garment clasp which is so constructed that a garment may be readily engaged and disengaged.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a front view of my improved garment Fig. 2 is a rear view of the garment clasp shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the clasp in an open position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail of a portion of the clasp shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a front view of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. '7 is a section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a front view of a further modification of my invention, and

Fig. 10 is a section taken on Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have indicated my improved garment clasp generally at iii. As shown the garment clasp I0 is preferably made of metal although other suitable material may be employed. It comprises a body portion l2 having two gripping members l3 and I4 depending therefrom. The body [2 is shown as made of a piece of flat metal and adjacent the top thereof includes two spaced transverse apertures iii and it which form a bar portion l6 therebetween. Adjacent its lower end and adjacent each side thereof the body material is curved forward upon itself to form two spaced bearing portions l'l. Intermediate the bearing portions H and a predetermined distance thereabove the body material is curved backward upon itself to form a bearing portion 18. Furthermore the axis of the bearing I8 is spaced a predetermined distance in the rear of the axis of the bearing portions l1. 7

The gripping member I3 is made of flat metal material and'includes a horizontal trunnion bar portion H] which is positioned in the bearing portion iii of the body I2. The trunnion bar l9 has line Ill-i0 of adjacent each end thereof a depending arm 20. The arms 20' are positioned outside the bearings 11 and therebelow converge to a head member 2|. The head 2! is of greater width than the combined width of the arms 29 where they merge into the head and the head includes a top bar 22 having a front lip 23 depending therefrom. Adjacent the juncture of the lip 23 and the bar 22 and extending inwardly from each end of the up the head is preferably slotted as at 23' to provide resiliency for the lip.

Below the lip 23 the head includes a foot portion 24 connected to the bar 22 by spaced ofiset bar portions 25. The forward edge of the lip '23 overhangs the rear edge of the foot 24 as clearly shown in the drawing. Beneath the lip and between the lip 23 and the foot 24 and between the bars 25a rectangular space 26 is formed. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) The lower edge of the foot portion24 is shown as curved but may be of any desired shape. The gripping member M is made of flat metal .material and includes a horizontal trunnion bar portion 2'! which is positioned in the bearing portions ll of the body E2. The trunnion bar 21 has adjacent each end thereof a depending arm 28 which like the arms 26 of the gripping member l3 converge downward to a head member 29. The head member 29 is of. greater width than the combined widths of the arms 28 where they mergeinto the head but is of less width than the space between the side bars 25 of the head 2|. The lower edge of the head 29 depends below the lower edge of the lip 23 of the head 2i but is spaced above the lower edge of the foot portion 24. The lower edge of the head 29 is preferably curved to substantially match the curvature of the lower edge of the foot portion 24 of the head 2|.

a The arms 2|) of the gripping member [3 are curved forward from the trunnion bar It as indicated at 39 to pass forward of the trunnion bar 21 so that they will be disposed close to the arms 28 of the gripping member I l.

The relative positions of the trunnion bars I9 and 2? are such that when the gripping member 13 is swung upwards to approximately right angles to the body l2 as shown in Fig. 4 and the gripping member M is moved to a similar position as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 the lower end of the head 29 of the gripping member M can pass the upper end of the foot portion 24 of the gripping member l3 and then when both gripping members are swung downward together the head 29 of the member I4 enters the space 26 of the head 2|. (See Figs. 3 and 5.)

For attaching the garment clasp ID to a garment I may provide a flexible band 3| which may be made of elastic or non-elastic material. The reach'32 of the band 3| is secured to the garment or article to which the garment clasp I5 is to be attached and extends downward over'the front face of the body l2 thence through the aperture l 5 and over the rear face of the bar l6 and then through the aperture |6 thence downward under the bearing portions l1, then upward and over the rear face of the bearing portion I 8 and thence upward and through the aperture 5 to a position between the front face of the body and the rear face of the front reach 32 of the band.

When it is desired to grip a flexible article such as a stocking as indicated at 33'with the device It) and assuming the device to be in an open position, the gripping member I3 is swung upward as previously described and shown in Fig. 4.

The material 33 is then placed against the front face of the gripping member l4 and the gripping member l4 swung upward until the material 33 engages the back face of the lip 23 as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. Whereafter'both gripping members are swung downward together whereupon the head 29 of the gripping member l4 enters the face 26 of the head 2| and carries the material 33 thereinto with it. The gripping members are continued to be swung downward until they reach the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the head 29 of the member I4 is positioned to the rear of its trunnion bar 2'! and further rearward movement of the members is restricted by the engagement of a portion of the member 53 with the trunnion bar 21.

This positioning of the head 29 at the rear of its trunnion forms a locking means to prevent accidental opening of the garment clasp. In this position the material 33 is firmly pressed between the front face of the head 29 and the rear face of the'lip 23 and between the rear face of the 'lip '23 and the front face of the foot 24 thus firmly securing the material 33 to the garment clasp Ill. The spring of the lip 23 which projects beyond the foot 24 serves to hold the head 29 in firm gripping engagement. The resilience provided for the lip 23 by the slots 23 allows the lip 23 to spring slightly to accommodate various thickfnesses of material. When strain is applied to the reach 32 of the band 3| it tends to swing the lower end of the body I2 forward thereby tending to put, a forward and downward strain on the member l4 which tends to force the head 29 further into the space 26 of the head 2| thereby more firmly gripping the material 33.

In Figs. 6, 7, and 8 I have indicated a modified form of my invention generally at 35. As shown the garment clasp 35 comprises a body portion 33 having two gripping members 31 and 38 depending therefrom. The body 36 is made of a piece of flat metal and adjacent the top thereof includes two spaced transverse apertures 39 and 48 which form a bar portion 4| therebetween. Adjacent its lower end the body material is rounded over to form a bearing portion 42. A predetermined distance above the bearing 42 and adjacent each side thereof the body material is slit and outstruck to form bearing portions 43. Furthermore the axis of the bearing portions 43 is spaced a predetermined distance in the rear of the axis of the bearing 42.

7 The gripping member 31 is preferably made of a single length of round material and adjacent its lower end includes ahorizontal reach 44 which intermediate its length is offset as at 45 to form a pocket as indicated at 46. (See Fig. 8.) From each side of the horizontal reach 44 the wire is bent vertical as at 41, then convergently upward as at 48, thence outwardly as at 49 to beyond the sides of the bearing 42 and then it is curved upward and inwardly to form a pair of horizontal trunnion portions 50 which are positioned in the bearing portion 42.

The gripping member 38 like the gripping member 31 is made of a single length of material and adjacent its lower end includes a horizontal reach 5| which forms a finger portion of a length to fit within the pocket 46 of the gripping arm 36. From each side of the horizontal portion 5| the wire is curved downwardly and then upwardly as at 52 into vertical sections 53. The wire is then bent convergently upward as at 54 and thence divergently upward as at 55 to a location beyond the outsides of the bearing portions 43 where each arm 55 is bent to a horizontal position to form a trunnion member 56. The trunnions 56 are positioned in the bearing portions 43 of the body 35. The arms 55 of the gripping member 38 are curved forward from the trunnion portions 58 as indicated at 51 to pass forward of the bearing 42 and over the gripping member 36.

The relative locations of the trunnion portions 50 and 56 of the gripping members is such that when the gripping members are swung forwardly and upwardly a predetermined distance the finger portion 5| of the member 38 moves outward from the pocket portion of the member 31 and thereafter can be swung above the member 3'1 as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 7. When the member 38 is swung downward from the position indicated by the dotted lines it engages the member 31 and swings it downward with it. As the two members 31 and 38 continue to swing downward the finger portion 5| of the member 38 enters the pocket portion 45 of the member 31.

For attaching the garment clasp 35 to a garment I provide a flexible band 5'4 which may be made of elastic or nonelastic material. The reach 58 of the band 5'! is secured to the garment or article to which it is desired to attach the garment clasp 35 and extends downward over the front face of the body 36, thence through the aperture 39 and over the rear face of the bar 4| and then through the aperture 4| thence downward under the bearing 42, then upward and over the rear face of the body and through the aperture 39 to a position between the front face of the body and the rear face of the front reach 58 of the band.

When it is desired to grip a flexible article 53 such as a stocking with the device 35 and assuming the device 35 to be in an open position, the gripping member 38 is swung upward as previously described and shown in Fig. 7. The material 59 is then placed over the finger 5| of the member 3'! as indicated by the dotted lines in 1. The member 38 is then moved downward into engagement with the member 31 and thereafter both .are moved downward to the position shown in full in Fig. 7. As the finger 5| enters the pocket 4,6 the cloth 59 is carried thereinto with it and is firmly clamped between the front face of the finger 5| and the rear face of the pocket bar portion 45.

In Figs. 9 and I have indicated a further slightly. modified form of my invention generally at 6,8. As shown the device 68 includes a body The finger H member GI and a finger member 62.

member 62 is made of a piece of fiat material and apertures therein adjacent the upper edge thereadjacent the top thereof has a transverse aperture 63 therein and below the aperture 63 has an aperture 64 therein of less width than the aperture 53. Adjacent the lower edge of the aperture Ed the finger member includes an offset bar member 55 which extends forward of the front face of the finger member and overhangs the aperture 64 and is of less width than the aperture fi l.

A flexible band 66 which may be elastic or nonelastic material is laid on the front face of the finger member 62 and positioned in the aperture 63 and then run back upon itself and sewed to form a loop. The portion of the band 66 above the garment clasp 60 is suitably secured to a garment or other article to which the garment clasp is to be secured.

The body member 6! is made of a piece of fiat metal material and adjacent the top thereof and extending from each side thereof includes arm members 6? which are bent rearward and around the band 65. The body 65 extends downward from the arms El and adjacent the lower end thereof has an aperture 68 therein and a bar portion 69 below the aperture. The sides of the 'body adjacent the lower end thereof are bent rearward to position the bar E9 in the rear of the front face of the body. At the upper edge of the aperture 68 the material of the body 6! is curved rearwardly and downwardly as indicated at 10.

The finger member 82 adjacent the lower end thereof includes a depending lip portion H which is of slightly less width than that of the body aperture 68 and extends downward to a position below the upper edge of the body bar 69.

When it is desired to grip a flexible article, such as a piece of cloth as indicated at E2, with the device 68 the finger member 62 thereof is moved rearwardly from the body 6! as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 10 and the cloth l2 placed against the front face of the finger memberand over the bar member 65 thereon. The finger lip ii is then positioned in the body aperture 68 and the finger member moved downward and forward until the finger bar 65 passes through the aperture 68. The strain between the cloth l2 and the band 656 then moves the finger bar 65 towards the curved portion 70 of the body thereby firmly clamping the cloth between the finger bar 65-and the curved portion iii of the body.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel garment clasp which is simple in construction and highly efiicient in use.

I claim:

1. A garment clasp comprising a body member having a pair of gripping members pivoted thereon, one of said gripping members including a head portion having an aperture therein and including a foot portion below said aperture, said head portion including a lip portion extending downwardly to a position above the top edge of said foot portion, said other gripping member including a head portion, when both of said gripping members are pendant said head portion of said second gripping member being adapted to be positioned in said aperture of said first gripping member and to overlay said foot portion thereof.

2. A garment clasp comprising a body member having twogripping members pivoted thereto, coacting means on said members to engage an article, said body having a pair of elongated of, said apertures forming a rib portion therebetween, a band of flexible material, said band extending downward over the front face of said body and being positioned in said body apertures and engaging the rear face of said rib member therebetween, said band continuing downward over the front face of said body and being positioned in said apertures of said gripping members and under said first bearing portions and then extending upward over the rear face of said body and being positioned in the uppermost of said body apertures and continuing upward between the front face of said body and the rear face of the front reach of said band.

3. A garment clasp comprising a body member having a pair of gripping members depending therefrom, said body having bearing portions thereon adjacent its lower end and a second bearing portion thereabove, the axes of said bearing portions being oifset one from the other, one of said gripping members including a trunnion portion positioned in said second bearing, said one gripping member including a head portion having an aperture therein and including a foot portion below said aperture, said head portion including a lip portion extending downward to a position above the top edge of said foot portion, said other of said gripping members including a trunnion portion positioned in said first bearing, said other gripping member including a head portion, when both of said gripping members are pendant said head portion of said second gripping member is adapted to be positioned in said aperture of said first gripping member and to overlay said foot portion thereof.

l. A garment clasp comprising a body member having two gripping members depending above said first bearing portion, the axis of said second bearing portion being positioned at one side of the axis of said first bearing portions, one of said gripping members including a horizontal trunnion portion positioned in said second bearing, said one gripping member having arms converging downwardly to an enlarged head portion, said head portion including an upper horizontal bar portion and a horizontal foot portion spaced below said bar portion and at the rear of said bar portion, said head portion including side bars connecting said top bar portion and said foot portion, the lower edge of said top bar portion, the top edge of said foot portion and the inner edges of said side bar portions defining a pocket, said head including a lip portion depending from said top bar portion and being of less width than said pocket and the lower edge of said lip portion overhanging the top edge of said foot portion, the other of said gripping members including a horizontal trunnion portion positioned in said first bearing portion, said other gripping member converging downward to an enlarged head portion which is of less width than said pocket, said first gripping member extending over the front face of said second gripping member, the lower edge of said other gripping member head depending below the upper edge of said first gripping member foot portion when both of said gripping members are in a pendant position.

5. A garment clasp comprising a body member having two gripping members pivoted thereon, the axes of said pivots being offset, one of said gripping members converging downwardly to an enlarged head portion, said head portion including 'an .upper horizontal. bar portion and a horizontal foot portion spaced below said bar portion and at the rear of said bar portion, said head including side bar portions connecting said top bar portion and said foot portion, the lower edge of said top bar portion, the top edge of said foot portion and the inner edges of said side bar portions defining a pocket, said head including a lip portion depending from said top bar and being of less width than said pocket and the lower edge of said lip overhanging the top edge of said foot portion, the other of said gripping members converging downwardly to an enlarged head portion which is of less width than said pocket, said first grip- :ing member extending over the front face of said second gripping member, the lower edge of said second gripping member head depending below the upper edge of said first gripping member foot portion when both of said gripping members are in a pendant position.

6. A garment clasp comprising a body member having two gripping members pivoted thereon, said body member having a pair of transverse elongated apertures therein adjacent the upper edge thereof, said apertures forming a rib portion therebetween, one of said gripping members including arms converging downwardly to an enlarged head portion, said one gripping member having an aperture therein above said head portion, said head portion including a top bar portion and a foot portion spaced below said top bar and at the rear of said bar, said head portion inciuding side bars connecting said top bar and said foot portion, the lower edge of said top bar, the top edge of said foot portion and the inner edges of said side bars defining a pocket, said head portion including a lip portion depending from said toprbar and being of less width than said pocket and the lower edge of said lip portion overhanging the top edge of said foot portion, the other of said gripping members including arms converging downward to an enlarged head portion, said other gripping member having an aperture therein above the head thereof, said last mentioned head being of less width than said pocket, said other gripping member overlaying the front face of said one gripping member, when both of said gripping arms are in a. pendant position the lower edge of said other gripping member depending below the upper edge of said first gripping member foot portion, a band of fiexible material, said band extending downward over the front face of said body and being positioned in said body apertures and engaging the rear face of said rib member therebetween, said band continuing downward over the front face of said body and being positioned in said apertures of said arms and under said first bearing portions and then extending upward over the rear face of said body and being positioned in the uppermost of said body apertures and continuing upward between the front face of said body and the rear face of the front reach of said band.

'7. A garment clasp comprising a body member having two gripping members pivoted thereto, said body having a pair of superimposed elongated apertures therein adjacent the upper edge thereof, said apertures forming a rib portion therebetween, each of said gripping members being made of wire and one of said gripping members being bent downwardly from each side of said body then inwardly thence outwardly and then downwardly to a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion intermediate its width being bent forward to form a horizontal pocket portion, the Wire of said other gripping member being bent downwardly from each side of said body and converging, then inclined outward, thence downward toa horizontal portion, said horizontal portion of said other gripping member intermediate its Width including an upwardly extending finger portion of a length to fit within said pocket portion of said first gripping member and the sides of said finger portion being adapted to engage the sides of said pocket portion.

8. A garment clasp comprising a body member having two gripping members depending therefrom, said body adjacent its lower end including a bearing portion and having thereabove a second bearing portion, the axis of said second bearing portion being offset from the axis of said first bearing portion, each of said gripping members being made of wire, one of said gripping members including a trunnion portion positioned in said first bearing, the wire of said one gripping memher being bent downwardly from said trunnion on each side of said body then inwardly thence outwardiy and then downwardly to a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion intermediate its width being bent forward to form a horizontal portion, said other of said gripping membels including a trunnion portion positioned in said second bearing, the wire of said other gripping member being bent downwardly from each side of said body and converging, then inclined outward, thence downward to a horizontal portion, said horizontal portion of said other gripping member intermediate its width including an upwardly exiending finger portion of a length to fit within said pocket portion of said first gripping member and the sides of said finger portion being adapted to engage the sides of said pocket portion, the top of said finger portion being approximately above or on the same plane as the top of said pocket portion when both of said gripping members are pendant.

9. A garment clasp comprising a body member having a pair of gripping members pivoted thereon, one of said gripping members including a head portion having a transverse top bar thereon and having a transversely extending foot portion spaced from said bar to form a transverse aperture, said other gripping member including a head portion, s id head portion being of a length to fit in said aperture, when both of said arms are pend- "ant said head portion of said second gripping member being adapted to be positioned in said aperture of said first gripping member and to be disposed beneath said top bar.

WILLIAM J. BISSELL. 

